Community members in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles County returned to the 103-year-old church location that burned out in January by a southern California wildfire on Good Friday.
And while the Community United Methodist Church building is currently nothing more than tiled rubs and ashes, Pastor John Shaver told Fox News Digital on Saturday it will remain a “wallless community” until it is rebuilt.
“Christ has been raised up as many people around the world share the familiar ancient words!” We know that these words of hope are for the family of the united Methodist Church of the Pacific Palisades, the people of Parisades in the Pacific, the Altadena community, and everyone who needs strength to continue moving forward across the world,” Shaver said. “This great gift of hope gives us courage to rebuild. In the meantime, we strive to become a community of faith (even without a wall) that is the centre of hope and healing for our nearby neighbors.”
Three years after the Centennial celebration, Shaver, who led the church just six months ago before burning out, met with a handful of community members on the site on Friday before embarking on a neighborhood crosswalk.
First Lady Melania Trump shares Good Friday message ahead of Easter
Rev. John Shaver is carrying the cross Friday during the crosswalk at the Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Parisades in Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades area. (AP Photo/William Leanne)
They stopped at nine locations in their ruined neighbourhoods and read biblical verses at each stop to represent different parts of the path of Jesus Christ.
“We know that there are still important challenges to come this Easter Sunday, but we appreciate the hope that God gives us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Shaver told Fox News Digital.
He said the united Methodist Church of the community wanted to share God’s love and hope through our words and service to all. We hope that by being the hands and feet of Christ, we can build a bridge of unity with others throughout the amazing cities of Los Angeles.”
The church was built by the same people who founded Palisades in the Pacific over a century ago, and has witnessed weddings, funerals, community gatherings, sports competitions, holiday celebrations and anonymous meetings of alcoholics over decades.
Members of Community United Methodist Church listen to Pastor John Shaver’s prayers during the crosswalk. (AP Photo/William Leanne)
Inspired by the Chautauqua social movement in the 1920s, the founder launched a “peace movement,” building churches and providing art, music and cultural programs to residents, Shaver told The Associated Press.
The congregation has been in service since the fire on other sites, but it was the first time they returned to the site on Friday.
Franklin Graham shares his Hope message in an exclusive interview about the Easter Special: “God hasn’t forgotten them.”
Shaver, along with most of his congregation, lost his home to the Palisade fire.
Kari Wright will play music for church prayer on Friday during a crosswalk by the Community United Methodist Church in Pacific Pallisard. (AP Photo/William Leanne)
The Palisades and Eton fires, further inland near Pasadena, destroyed tens of thousands of homes and businesses, and killed 29 people, including a Shaver Church gathering.
Shaver remembered 85-year-old Annette Rossilli during a crosswalk and stopped in front of the tile rub where his house once stood. His family moved into the house last July.
“It also reminds us of how much of what we have and we take it for granted,” Shaver told the Associated Press.
And while the church was burning out, the community was able to save its important parts, like stone tiles, metal crosses that stood on top of the tower, and another stone cross.
Shaver said the church would try to find a way to incorporate those items when a new church is built.
Shaver said the crosswalk is a reminder of “how much of what we have, taking it for granted.” (AP Photo/William Leanne)
Thomas Knoll, a non-religious resident who was not at church, told the Associated Press that he attended the event because he felt it was “like a funeral like a palisade in the Pacific.”
Nord also lost his home.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Church in front of the fire (Google Maps)
“The whole story of crucifixion and resurrection is appropriate here,” he said. “The town will be rebuilt, but it will take a long time.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
